Women's Gymnastics

McCARTNEY LEADS GYMNSATICS TO VICTORY OVER UTAH STATE

Mar 01, 2013

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kalliah McCartney claimed at least a share of first place on beam, bars and floor and also won the all-around during Sacramento State's 193.800-193.400 victory over Utah State on Friday night at The Nest.

McCartney's victory in the all-around was her sixth this season in eight meets. The sophomore's score extends her streak to three consecutive meets with at least 39.225.

"I don't want to say that she's a machine because she's so artistic but she's so consistent," Sacramento State head coach Kim Hughes said. "Her hard work pays off and you see it every meet."

The Hornets scored 48.825 in their opening rotation on vault. The team counted five scores ranging from 9.750-9.800 en route to its second highest score of the year. Tina Necas opened with a career high 9.750 and was matched by Cassie Benning. Kailey Hansen posted the team high with a 9.800 before McCartney scored 9.750. Junior Maddie Montaya also set a career high with a 9.775.

On bars, the team was again tightly grouped with the counting scores coming between 9.700 and 9.800. McCartney and Nicole Meiller closed the rotation with a pair of 9.800s to share the event title. Cayla Beutler and Benning each scored 9.750 to tie for third and Kaila Kilwein provided a 9.700 which tied for sixth. Those scores gave the team a 48.800 on the event and a 97.625-96.575 lead at the midway point of the meet.

That lead was nearly erased during the third rotation as Sacramento State was forced to count a pair of falls and finished beam with a team score of 47.425. McCartney helped save the score with a 9.850 during the final routine which won the event. The other four counting scores fell between 9.100 and 9.650.

The Hornets recovered on floor, scoring 48.750 to secure the win. Benning and McCartney tied for the top honors on the event with each receiving a 9.825. Cayla Beutler and Kaila Kilwein finished third and fourth, respectively, with a 9.775 and 9.700.

"This meet had two distinct halves," Sacramento State head coach Kim Hughes said. "The first half we were great on vault and bars but we had too many mistakes in the last half.

"Although I'm happy with the win, our goal is to get to regionals and this score will not help us do that."

The Hornets will compete away from home for the next two weeks beginning with a three-team meet in Corvallis, Ore., which includes Oregon State and Washington.